Spain Mourns After Deadly High-Speed Train Collision Kills at Least 21

Post by : Saif

Spain woke up to shock and sorrow after one of its deadliest rail accidents in recent years. Two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday evening, killing at least 21 people and injuring many others. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue their difficult work at the crash site.

The accident happened near the town of Adamuz in Cordoba province, around 360 kilometers south of Madrid. One train, operated by private company Iryo, was travelling from Malaga to Madrid when it derailed. The derailed train smashed into another high-speed train operated by state-owned Renfe, which was heading from Madrid to Huelva.

The force of the collision was devastating. The Renfe train was pushed off the tracks and plunged down a railway embankment. Police sources confirmed that at least 21 people were killed. Regional officials said 75 people were taken to hospital, with 15 of them in serious condition.

Juanma Moreno, the head of Andalucia’s regional government, warned that the number of deaths could increase. He said the impact was extremely violent and that rescue workers may still find more victims once daylight and heavy machinery allow deeper access to the wreckage.

Around 400 passengers were travelling on the two trains. Most were Spanish citizens returning to or leaving Madrid after the weekend. January is not a peak tourist season, so it remains unclear how many foreign travelers were on board.

Passengers described scenes of fear and chaos. One woman said people were screaming as bags fell from overhead shelves. Another passenger said he felt lucky to be seated in the last carriage, which avoided the worst damage. Reports said the Renfe train was moving at about 200 kilometers per hour at the time of the crash.

Emergency services rushed to the site soon after the collision, which happened around 7:45 p.m. Firefighters, police, and medical teams worked through the night. While passengers on the Iryo train were evacuated within hours, the Renfe carriages were badly crushed, with twisted metal and broken seats.

Rescue teams said some people were still trapped inside the damaged cars. Narrow spaces and heavy debris made the operation slow and dangerous. Fire officials explained that bodies had to be carefully removed to reach anyone who might still be alive.

Local residents played a key role in helping survivors. In Adamuz, a small town of about 5,000 people, a reception center was set up for passengers. Locals brought food, water, and blankets as temperatures dropped during the night. Tearful passengers were guided to safety after being transported by bus.

The cause of the crash is still unknown. Spain’s transport minister, Oscar Puente, said it was “really strange” that a derailment happened on a straight section of track. He noted that this stretch of railway had been renewed only months ago, in May. A full investigation is now underway.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cleared his schedule to focus on the tragedy. The King and Queen were also following developments closely. Rail services between Madrid and Andalucia were suspended as safety checks began.

The crash has raised serious questions about rail safety in a country known for its modern high-speed train network. While Spain’s rail system is usually seen as reliable, this disaster shows that even advanced infrastructure can fail with tragic results.

As Spain mourns the victims, the focus now turns to rescuing the trapped, caring for the injured, and finding clear answers. Families across the country are waiting anxiously for news, while the nation demands accountability and stronger safety measures to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

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